Metallic container and method of manufacturing it



A. L. WERTZ July 2, 1929.

METALLIC CONTAINER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING IT Filed May 12, 1925 .FICi 1:

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Patented July 2, 1929;

UNITED STATES .AUSTIN L. WERTZ, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

METALLIC CONTAINER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING IT.

Application filed May 12,

My invention relates to the construction of containers, more especially metallic containers, and has for its chief object to secure, in such manufactures, the utmost strength and rigidity notwithstanding the use of sheet metal, so that said containers may be capable of withstanding all shocks incident to handling and transportation without yielding to distortion or rupture.

How this desideratum may be attained, together with other subsidiary objectsand attendant advantages, will be readily apparent from the detailed description which follows of a typical embodiment of my invention and the manner in which it may be economically produced, while the appended claims clearly define the scope of my invention in so far as it comes within my present knowledge.

In the drawings, Fig. I is an elevation of a container constructed in accordance with my invention, portions thereof being broken and shown in section for covenience of illustration in bringing out certain salient features.

Fig. II shows a tubular blank from which the bod or shell of the container is formed.

Fig. TI shows the same blank after the performance of a swedging operation thereon.

Fig. TV is an illustration, in perspective, showing the type of heads employed as closures for the ends of the body or shell; and

Fig. V shows the manner in which the heads are initially placed relative, to the body or shell.

A container typifying my invention comprises, as clearly shown in Fig. I, a main or body portion designated by the numeral 1, and closure heads 2. The body portion 1 is produced from a length of plain tubing such as shown in Fig. II, which, by aid of any appropriate tools suitable to the purpose, is swedged adjacent opposite ends, to rovide internal circumferential ridges or beads 3, see Fig. HI. 1

The heads 2, one of which is shown in perspective in Fig. IV, are formed from blank disks of sheet metal which are preferabl die ressed or otherwise worked into dished orm thereby affording inwardly curved, pe-

ripheral flangesadapted to fit snugly within the ends of the tubular'body portion 1.

Tn assembling the container, the heads 2 are inserted, flange edges foremost, into the open-ends of the body or shell portion 1 as suggested in Fig. V, and seated against the 1923. Serial No. 638,479.

internal circumferential ridges or heads 3. The projecting or overhanging ends of the shell 1 '(Fig. V) are thereupon swedged over to embrace the peripheral flanges 5 of the heads 2 and to intimately overlap the outer faces of said heads as at 6. In the swedging of the tubular shell 1, the position ofthe ridges 3 relative to the shell ends is so ordered as to predetermine a substantial marginal overlap of the heads 2 when the container parts are assembled as above noted. The nal step in my. improved process is to weld the exposed edges of the inwardly turned ends 6 of the shell 1 to the heads 2 as suggested conventionally at 7 in Fig. I, for the purpose of sealing the structure and rendering the same absolutely fluid tight.

The heads 2 are rigidly lodged after the manner just. described, within the ends of the shell 1 between the internal ridges or beads 3 and the overlaps 6, and are accordingly secure against displacement from pressure exerted either from within or without the container.

- The heads 2, it will be seen, by virtue of the inwardly curved peripheral flanges, are amply stiffened against bending or distortion under pressure. The welded joints 7 are, as a result of the above conditions, relieved of all strains, and, on account of their remoteness from the can corners, well protected against injury from impacts when the containers are stacked or aligned end to end.

. In. accordance with the herein described method of procedure, it will be apparent that a very durable container may be obtained notwithstanding the use of sheet metal, the important advantage of lightness being thus secured without sacrifice of strength.

While features of my invention may obviously be incorporated in containers adapted for many different purposes, the containers are peculiarly adapted for use as drums for oil, kerosene, gasoline and the like, A filler or discharge opening may be provided at either end or in the cylindrical shell of the container according to the purpose for which the container is utilized.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 7 K 1. As an article of manufacture a sheet "-metal container comprising a cylindrical shell and insert closure heads having inwardly curvedperipheral stiffening flanges, said shell being provided with circumferential beads adjacent the ends serving as seating abutments for the curved flanges of the heads, and

heads flanged-edge foremost within the shell ends to abut the circumferential ridges, swedging theedges of the shell over to intimately embrace the peripheral flanges and overlap the marginal outer faces of the heads, and welding the overlapped shell edges to the exterior surface of the heads to form an integral joint.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 10th day of May, 1923.

AUSTIN L. WERTZ. 

